Robert Fisk
Robert Fisk
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Robert Matthew Fisk was born on July 12, 1946, in London, England. He is commonly known by his initials R.M.F.
Birth and Death Dates
Fisk passed away on October 30, 2020, at the age of 74, due to complications from a head injury sustained while walking in Beirut, Lebanon.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Fisk was a British journalist and writer who held dual citizenship with Ireland. He worked as a foreign correspondent for various publications, including _The Times_ and _The Independent_, where he served as the Middle East correspondent.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a diplomatic family, Fisk spent his early years in various countries, including Egypt and Turkey. His father was a British diplomat who later became the British Ambassador to Lebanon. This exposure instilled in Fisk an interest in international relations and global affairs.
Fisk attended New College at Oxford University, where he studied philosophy, politics, and economics. However, it was his experiences during the 1968 student uprising in Paris that sparked his passion for journalism. He began writing for _The Times_ while still a student, eventually becoming a full-time journalist after graduating.
Major Accomplishments
Fisk's career spanned over four decades, with numerous notable accomplishments:
He was awarded the British Journalist of the Year award in 2000 and was also shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize several times.
Fisk was known for his extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs and his ability to communicate complex issues to a broad audience.
He wrote numerous books on international relations, including _The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East_.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Fisk's notable works include:
The Pity of War (1995): A book that questioned the conventional wisdom surrounding World War I.
The Age of the Warrior (2000): An analysis of the role of war in modern society.
The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East (2005): A comprehensive history of the region.
Fisk was also known for his advocacy on behalf of human rights and social justice. He was a vocal critic of Western intervention in the Middle East and spoke out against the treatment of Palestinian refugees.
Impact and Legacy
Fisk's impact on international journalism is undeniable:
Influence on Journalistic Style: Fisk's unique approach to storytelling, which emphasized empathy and understanding, has inspired a generation of journalists.
Raising Awareness about Middle Eastern Affairs: Through his writing and advocacy, Fisk brought attention to the complexities and nuances of the region, challenging readers' perceptions and sparking important conversations.
Pioneering Investigative Journalism: Fisk was known for his fearless approach to investigative journalism, often taking risks to uncover the truth and expose injustices.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Fisk's legacy extends beyond his professional accomplishments:
Passion and Conviction: His unwavering commitment to telling the stories that needed to be told has made him a beloved figure in the world of journalism.
Intellectual Curiosity: Fisk's boundless curiosity about international affairs, history, and culture continues to inspire readers and journalists alike.
Authentic Voice: His willingness to challenge prevailing narratives and speak truth to power has earned him a reputation as a trusted voice on global issues.
Quotes by Robert Fisk
President Bush will come here and there will be new 'friends' of America to open a new relationship with the world, new economic fortunes for those who 'liberated' them.
Governments like it that way. They want their people to see war as a drama of opposites, good and evil, “them” and “us,” victory or defeat. But war is primarily not about victory or defeat but about death and the infliction of death. It represents the total failure of the human spirit.
Bin Laden is not well read and he’s not sophisticated, but he will have worked out very coldly what America would do.
Fundamentalism is not bred in poverty. There are plenty of poor countries in the world that don’t have violence because amid the poverty there is a kind of justice and in some countries a democracy.
At the end of the day, bin Laden’s interest is not Washington and New York, it’s the Middle East. He wants Saudi Arabia. He wants to get rid of the House of Saud.
President Bush cruelly manipulated the grief of the American people – and the sympathy of the rest of the world – to introduce a ‘world order’ dreamed up by a clutch of fantasists advising the Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld.
President Bush will come here and there will be new “friends” of America to open a new relationship with the world, new economic fortunes for those who “liberated” them.
Clinton impressed Assad: a young man who appeared to want to be neutral in the Arab-Israeli dispute – an illusion of course, but that’s what Assad thought.